ParisAfter a lot of rain, the roadways were dangerously slick. Tadej Poga would be happy to finish safely in the group because a fourth Tour de France crown was virtually guaranteed nevertheless. especially because he only needed to finish the race because the last stage on Sunday had already been neutralized for safety reasons.
Surely there was no reason to risk crashing and launch an apparently useless attack?
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However, the 26-year-old Slovenian cycling sensation Poga Ar seldom enjoys being cautious or holding back. On Sunday, he further solidified his status as one of cycling’s greatest riders by winning his fourth Tour title in an uncharacteristically bold manner.
Pogaar just could not stop himself, even though he truly did not need to and ran the risk of falling on roads that were wet with oil slicks. He attempted to use his signature uphill attacks to win Sunday’s 21st and final stage, against all reasonable advice, but he was unable to secure the victory.
Even though I didn’t have the energy, I ended up in the lead, said Poga Ar, the Tour winner from 2020 and 2021 as well as last year.
“I am unable to express how thrilled I am to have won the Tour de France,” Poga continued. I’m so honored to be able to wear this yellow jersey.
The two-time Tour winner Jonas Vinegaard ended the race 4 minutes, 24 seconds behind Pogaar, who finished in second position, and Florian Lipowitz, who finished in third place, 11 minutes behind.
The 21st and last stage, which defied convention and included three climbs of Montmartre hill, was won by Belgian rider Wout van Aert.
Poga was declared the winner if he crossed the finish line because the organizers had already neutralized the times 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the end due to the extreme weather and collision risk.
With victory all but guaranteed, he took the opposite action from what nearly every rider would do.
With fans cheering and flags and fans hanging out of windows, he established a fantastic pace in the Montmartre climbs as the rain teemed down.
On the third climb of the 1.1-kilometer Montmartre hill, Poga Ar was alone with just five riders.
Van Aert’s spectacular attack to drop—yes, drop!—caught him cold near the top after he had repelled American Matteo Jorgenson. On the steepest part is Poga Ar, the best climber in the world.
Poga Ar remarked, “Wout was really strong. Kudos to him.”
On the renowned Champs-lyses, Van Aert rolled back down for a memorable stage victory. Poga Ar appeared exhausted as he finished 19 seconds back in fourth place.
Calm and pleasant weather
However, it was time to enjoy winning the fourth crown. On that front, however, don’t expect Poga Ar to make any headlines.
“I just want peace and some nice weather, not like here today,” Poga Ar said. “Everyone celebrates in their own way.” “Just to have a few peaceful days at home.
The showcase race has only been won five times by four riders: Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgian Eddy Merckx, and Spaniard Miguel Indur.
With four victories this year, Pogaar’s Tour total now stands at 21 and 30 at big events, including three at the Spanish Vuelta and six at the Giro d Italia.
The captain of UAE Team Emirates gave his teammates high marks.
The second week, in my opinion, was the pivotal period,” Pogaar stated. We exploited it more.
Meanwhile, Lipowitz finished on the podium for the first time in his career at a Grand Tour, which is another term for the three main races.
After finishing in third place in the Crit rium du Dauphin last month, the 24-year-old German rider’s performance indicates that he may soon be able to contend.
Defying convention
Traditionally, riders complete rounds around Paris during the final stage, which is primarily processional. Following the popularity of the Paris Olympics road race, which also included Montmartre, renowned for its Sacr-Coeur basilica, the Tour broke with tradition.
Five consecutive
Pogaar and Vingegaard finished 1-2 at the Tour for the fifth consecutive year.
Before defeating Poga in the following two years with the Slovenian second, Vingegaard finished second in 2021. Vingegaard finished second last year when Pogaar regained his crown.
“We push each other to the limit and have elevated each other’s level significantly,” Poga Ar said. I have a lot of respect for him.
Five important titles
In addition, Poga Ar won the Giro d’Italia last year, making him the first rider since the late Marco Pantani in 1998 to win both the Giro and the Tour in the same season.
However, Anquetil, Hinault, and Merckx won all three of the big events, but Pogaar has yet to win the Spanish Vuelta.
One hundred years of achievement
Poga Ar’s victory in the challenging fourth stage of this year’s competition marked the 100th professional triumph in his illustrious career.
In addition, Poga Ar is the world road race champion.
His outstanding performance from the spring classics continued with his resounding victory at the Critrium.
Poga Ar scored three more stage victories, including an impressive time trial, after winning the Tour’s fourth stage.
What’s left to win?
He would like winning Milan San Remo and the Paris-Roubaix classic.
Because of its treacherous cobblestone stretches, the Roubaix race, which is 259.2-kilometer (161-mile), is known as the Hell of the North.
To become the first Tour champion to win the one-day classic since Hinault in 1981, Poga made his debut appearance this year. However, for the third consecutive year, strong Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel took first place.
Van der Poel defeated Poga Ar there this year, but he hasn’t won Milan-San Remo either.
Next year, expect to see a motivated Poga in Milan-San Remo and Roubaix.
However, it’s unclear if he will take on the Vuelta.
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